DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FY2002 Budget Summary

DEPARTMENT
OF JUSTICE
UNITED STATES TRUSTEE SYSTEM FUND
(Dollars in thousands)

Perm.
Pos

FTE

Amount

2000 actuals

1,128

1,009

$121,549

2001 enacted

1,034

1,017

125,997

Government-wide
.22% rescission pursuant to P.L. 106-554

...

...

...

2001 appropriation

1,034

1,017

125,997

Increases (see
p. 33)

...

...

8,925

2002 base

1,034

1,017

134,922

Program changes
(detailed below)

184

93

19,122

2002 estimate

1,218

1,110

154,044

2001
Availability

2002
Base

2002
Estimate

Program
Changes

Comparison
by activity and program

Perm.
Pos.

FTE

Amount

Perm.
Pos.

FTE

Amount

Perm.
Pos.

FTE

Amount

Perm.
Pos.

FTE

Amount

1. Administration
of Cases:

Budget Authority

981

965

$115,864

981

965

$124,382

1,151

1,051

$142,515

170

86

$18,133

2. Management
and Administration:

Budget Authority

53

52

10,133

53

52

10,540

67

59

11,529

14

7

989

Total

1,034

1,017

$125,997

1,034

1,017

$134,922

1,218

1,110

$154,044

184

93

19,122

Program Changes

Perm.
Pos.

FTE

Amount

Abuse Litigation

112

56

$6,800

An increase
of 112 positions (36 attorneys), 56 workyears, and $6,800,000 is requested to
identify the number of debtors abusing the bankruptcy system. This initiative
targets those who file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy but may have the income to sustain
a Chapter 13 repayment plan. Based on two separate independent reviews, the USTP
believes that approximately 7 percent of cases filed are potentially abusive.
The requested positions will allow the USTP to increase the number of abusive
cases worked from 14,040 to 42,120.

Caseload Increase

55

28

3,700

An increase
of 55 positions (15 attorneys), 28 workyears, and $3,700,000 is requested to process
the significant increase in bankruptcy filings in the past few years. By 2002,
filings will increase by 24 percent over 2001, to a historic high of 1.6 million
cases. Without additional staff, filers can expect longer case processing times,
limited oversight reviews, and a reduction in the number of motions filed in court.

Automation
Initiative

5

3

7,322

An increase
of 5 positions, 3 workyears, and $7,322,000 is requested to upgrade EOUST's automated
case management system (ACMS). The EOUST has used the ACMS for more than 10 years,
far longer than its useful life cycle. Without a complete systems upgrade, analysis
of bankruptcy data cannot occur without significant labor-intensive conversion.
The requested funds will also allow EOUST to upgrade the current case filing system,
which electronically downloads critical bankruptcy data filed by various organizations.

Bankruptcy
Fraud

12

6

1,000

An increase
of 12 positions (12 attorneys), 6 workyears, and $1,000,000 is requested to establish
a Bankruptcy Fraud Team serving each of the 11 judicial circuits, plus the Washington,
D.C. area. The team will identify bankruptcy fraud and support the prosecutorial
efforts of federal law enforcement organizations. These resources will ensure
that filers who violate bankruptcy laws are held accountable for their actions.
The team will work closely with the National Bankruptcy Fraud Working Group, which
includes representatives from the U.S. Attorneys' Offices, DOJ's Criminal Division,
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, Postal Inspection Service,
Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Inspectors General for the Department
of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Commodities
Futures Trading Commission.

Physical Security

...

...

300

An increase
of $300,000 is requested to install 100 duress alarms in the USTP's meeting rooms
where employees meet with creditors and debtors. Basic safety measures must be
taken before additional emergency incidents occur.